Pretoria – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it has taken note of reports concerning comments attributed to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Earlier, on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Chris Hattingh, spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, said his party was “outraged that the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, used an official visit to Tehran this week to engage in blatant political diplomacy far outside his constitutional and professional mandate”.
However, DIRCO said it was “crucial to clarify” that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy was a function of the Presidency, supported by the department.
“Consequently, any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African government.”
“The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.”
When the DA made the matter public, the party referenced Iranian state media reports on General Maphwanya’s comments during his visit, which the party said “went well beyond military-to-military discussions”.
The DA said the general “publicly pledged ‘common goals’ with Iran in global affairs, endorsed Tehran’s political positions on the war in Gaza, and called for deeper strategic alignment, including joint projects and student exchange.
“This is not the role of a military chief,” stated the DA, the second largest party in the Government of National Unity.
“Foreign policy is the domain of the elected Government of National Unity and must be conducted through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), not by an unelected general freelancing on the world stage.
“This reckless grandstanding comes at a time when South Africa’s relations with key democratic partners, especially the United States, are already under severe strain.”
The DA said publicly embracing a sanctioned regime with a track record of regional destabilisation will only deepen our diplomatic isolation, risk retaliatory measures, and worsen our economic vulnerabilities.
The DA said it will be demanding urgent answers from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation on:
- Whether the political content of General Maphwanya’s statements in Tehran was authorised at any level of government;
- What commitments, if any, were made on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, and
- How the government intends to repair the serious damage caused to relationships with democratic allies whose trade, investment, security, and development partnerships are vital to South Africa’s stability.
“The SANDF’s job is to lead and manage the defence force, not to act as an unsanctioned political envoy,” said DA MP Chris Hattingh.
“Allowing our most senior military officer to make partisan foreign policy pronouncements is strategically reckless, diplomatically irresponsible, and economically self-defeating.
“South Africa cannot afford to have its international standing further sabotaged by political adventurism from the military’s top brass.”
Responding to these concerns raised, DIRCO said: “In response to this matter, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola will be seeking further clarification.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans said matters of South Africa’s foreign policy and international relations are the sole prerogative of the President and DIRCO.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans stated that it does not make political or policy decisions on international relations.
“It is unfortunate that political and policy statements were reportedly made during the meeting between General Ruddazi Maphwanya, Chief of the SANDF, and the Iran Defence Force Leadership,” the statement said.
“The Department of Defence reiterates that only the President and DIRCO determine South Africa’s national policy on international relations.
“The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans will be engaging with General Maphwanya on his return.”
